How To Prepare Your Child For Their First Day At Nursery

6th March 2018

As a parent, you have to face an awful lot of challenges. The sleepless nights, temper tantrums and nappy changes. The hardest by far is seeing them head off on their first day at nursery. Of course it’s exciting and you’re bound to feel proud but, you’re also going to be terrified of letting go. However, as scary an experience that this is for you, it’s sure to be even scarier for your little one, so you need to make sure that they’re prepared. We’ve put together some tips to help you do that, and ensure that the transition is a smooth and happy one.

Get Them Socialising

The last thing that you want to do is throw your child into a classroom of children without getting them comfortable with people they don’t know. Social skills are something that need to be developed over time. Try introducing them to other children early on through play dates and trips to the park. You should also get them used to not being around you all the time, leave them with their grandparents, aunts and uncles for a short while.

Educate Them

If your child doesn’t know what school or nursery is, they’re going to be a lot more apprehensive going there. To make them a bit more comfortable talk to them about what will happen. You could read them some books about school and nursery. Show them some of the things they’ll experience, like singing nursery rhymes, painting, and making models. Show them it is fun.

Get Them Potty Trained

A lot of nurseries encourage children to be out of nappies before coming to them. It’s important to discuss this with the nursery if your little one isn’t quite potty trained . If the nursery are aware they can help your little one by reminding them to use the bathroom avoiding any embarrassment. Nursery staff are able to handle the occasional accident. Pack some spare clothes and reassure your child that no one will be cross if they have an accident.

Visit the Nursery

The staff understand that children are going to be a bit worried before heading to nursery for the first time and usually encourage you to visit with your child. In fact, most have open days for exactly this. When you get home, make sure to emphasise all of the fun and interesting things about the nursery, to get your child excited.Credit

Remain Positive

It’s completely understandable that you feel stressed or worried about your son or daughter going to school for the first time. Try not to let them know that you’re worried. You have to remain positive and cheery. If they spot that you’re anxious it could make them worry more, causing upset for both of you. Leaving them is going to be difficult, but you have to remember that their teacher will call you if there are any problems, so there’s really no need to fret.

Taking your toddler to their first day of school is nerve-racking for you and your child. Hopefully this advice will help the experience run more smoothly. It gets easier with time. I promise.